NDP acclaims Kelowna West candidate

The B.C. NDP have acclaimed their candidate for the Kelowna-West riding.

Shelley Cook, former executive director of the John Howard Society in Kelowna was nominated during an NDP nomination meeting on March 18.

Cook is competing in the riding against Premier Christy Clark.

“People who know me know that anything I do, I come into it with my eyes wide open and so I think, it’s an interesting time to be involved. There’s a changing demographic in Kelowna… for me, I’m excited to get out there,” said Cook.

Cook, who is originally from Kelowna and is a PhD student in community, culture and global studies (urban geography) at UBC Okanagan, is also currently leading two research studies on homelessness in the city.

“I have very deep roots in this community. I have a very strong connection. My grandparents are buried on Glenmore. Everywhere I look, I see my childhood. There’s no community I’m more connected to,” she said.

Coming from the social services perspective, Cook said she has a unique perspective on the way policies are implemented at the ground level.

“I’m here in the community and that’s what sets me apart (from Clark),” she said.

Cook will be having conversations that go beyond the NDP push for a province-wide $15 minimum wage initiative.

“If employers don’t have staff because they can’t afford to live here, they’re going to have bigger problems than a $15 minimum wage.”

NDP MLA for Vancouver-Hastings Shane Simpson was also in attendance during the acclamation at the BCGEU office on Borden Road in Kelowna.